Pre/early labour...?

[zapper]

Hi,
I'm about 2 weeks past my due date right now. Last time I was induced so I'm not sure what a normal labour would be like and how it starts.
Since Thursday afternoon I've been getting quite regular tightenings - not contractions, but more than braxton hicks (if that makes sense). They were coming every 25 minutes or so for about 48 hours, now this afternoon they seem to be a bit stronger and bit closer together.
I guess there's no way to really know for sure, but I'm just wondering - does this sound like early labour, or more like pre-labour stuff?
Thanks

[skybie]

the regular tightenings sound like pre labour, the ones ur getting today sound like early labour.
best of luck

[*Sparklez*]

Being overdue I know how it is n it sucks lol but it sounds like ur getting there but slowly
Have u rang n discussed wats happening with ur hossy??
I hope it's the beginning n u get to meet ur lil one soon

[Pretty Butterfly]

Yep I think you have pre labour that is turning into early labour, YAY!!!

When they get tighter, more painful, and you need to breathe/bend over/cant talk, youll know labour has hit sweets...
Congratulations, bubs gotta come soon at 42 weeks anyway!!!

[zapper]

Thank you for your replies!
So maybe I should let the midwife know I guess... I think I've been pregnant long enough so definitely ready for birth now

[Pretty Butterfly]

A call to say things might be happening is a good idea.. you may progress fast if all your pre labour has shortened and opened your cervix babe... good luck!!!!

[Kazbah]

Hi Zapper - I'm in the same place as you are!!! Have you lost your mucus plug yet? They say that bub arrives 2-3 days after losing that. And, of course, any fluid leakage

Good luck!!!!!!!

[Cassius2]

i'd say that it is early labour. i found that my contractions with my second labour never got 'regular' or long. they stayed around the 12 min mark and werent intense like last time. but i knew it was getting the real deal as i found them hard when trying to read a book to my toddler

i reckon once you feel like shaking your hips, then it's on lol!

[Alan]

Sounds like early labour to me

[zapper]

Thanks again!
So I'm still here - maybe in early labour - with another question. How can I get things moving along?

[Pretty Butterfly]

Well they say you should get some rest, but I never could!!
Walking is good, sex if your waters haven't broken.

To be very hoinest, i dont think much works, it'll all kick into gear when its meant to sweets!!!
All this pre labour IS helping, so your body isnt doing nothing babe.. xoxoxo

[Cassius2]

this might sound a bit hippy and out there but are you 'holding onto' anything? could there be something that is blocking you? for me, it was total shyness in telling my midwives that i was in labour. i didnt want to inconvenience them (got over that once my waters broke ).

i noticed that my contractions with my second labour really took off each time i was totally relaxed. so when i was reading a book to DD or hanging out the washing or lying in bed doing the crossword puzzle...

i'll second what pretty butterfly has said, this is all doing great work! for me, when 'baby is definitely coming' labour it was fast! all that early labour during the day had brought me straight to transition and bubs was out 1 hour and a half from waters breaking. so nothing is wasted!

[TeniBear]

i reckon once you feel like shaking your hips, then it's on lol!

Uh-oh... I shake my hips all the time, pregnant or not

[LimeSlice]

Zapper... you can't!
They will happen as quickly as they are meant to. Try and relax, do a jigsaw or something, bake, take a walk. When you are focussing on it it will go on forever.

Good luck!